Method and User Interface for Searching Media Assets Over a Network

A method for locating and playing a selected media item from a media server that hosts a plurality of media items, said method comprising:

• (a) displaying a plurality of selectable menu items, at least one of the selectable menu items pertaining to a search item;
• (b) receiving a selection of the search item;
• (c) displaying a search dialog for entry of a search string, the search dialog presenting a plurality of selectable characters;
• (d) receiving at least one character selection via the search dialog;
• (e) automatically requesting, from the media server, information on one or media items that match the search string as each character selection is received entered;
• (f) receiving, from the media server, the requested information on at least a set of the one or more media items that match the search string;
• and
• (g) displaying at least a first portion of the requested information for at least the set of the one or more of the media items that match the search string,
• wherein said requesting (e), said receiving (f) and said displaying (g) are repeated as each character selected is received via the search dialog, whereby the one or more media items that match the search string are updated.

A graphical user interface for searching and playing media items hosted by a media server, said graphical user interface comprising:

• a character selection region that displays a plurality of characters that are available for selection;
• a search entry region configured to display at least one search character that has been selected from the characters that are available for selection by said character selection region;
• and
• a media item listing region that displays at least a portion of received information from the media server for at least one of the media items hosted by the media server that matches the at least one search character.

An electronic apparatus for presenting and playing media information available from a remote media server, said electronic apparatus comprising:

• a display device;
• a remote controller enabling a user to interact with said electronic apparatus;
• a memory device for storing data and computer program instructions, the computer program instructions include at least:
• computer program instructions for displaying, on said display device, a search screen having a search entry region and a character selection region, wherein one or more characters from the character selection region are configured for user selection through use of said remote controller;
• computer program instructions for displaying a selected character in the search entry region, the selected character being used as at least part of a search string;
• computer program instructions for requesting, from the media server, information on one or more of the media items hosted by the media server that match the search string;
• computer program instructions for receiving, from the media server, the requested information on at least one of the media items that match the search string;
• and
• computer program instructions for displaying, on said display device, at least a portion of the received information for the at least one of the media items that match the search string;
• and
• a processor operatively connected to receive input signals from said remote controller and to output signals to said display device, said processor further operatively connected to said memory device and configured to execute computer program instructions stored in said memory device.